Using immune cell health to track disease activity in JIA

RHOTY 2. Using immune cell health to track disease activity in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)

Research reveals how immune cells could guide safer, smarter treatment for JIA.  

Researchers from University College London have studied a type of immune cell called regulatory T cells (Tregs) to help track disease activity in children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). 

Regulatory T cells, or Tregs, are special immune cells that act like police in your body. Their job is to stop the immune system from overreacting and attacking healthy tissues, helping to keep inflammation under control. In JIA, they sometimes don't work as well as they should, triggering inflammation. 

Using blood and joint fluid samples and artificial intelligence, the researchers found that how “fit” or healthy our Tregs are could tell the difference between active and inactive disease/remission and even predict flare-ups.

With more testing, Treg “fitness” could help doctors use simple blood tests to guide treatment decisions, spot flares earlier, and safely reduce medication use, potentially leading to sustained remission in children with JIA. 

This work was led by Dr Anne Pesenacker and carried out by Meryl Attrill at UCL; it was funded by Arthritis UK.